Find everything you need to know about cover letter enclosure in this guide!

What exactly is a cover letter enclosure? While it may sound like a protective fence around your cover letter, it’s actually an important professional practice in the job application process. Making a mistake on a cover letter enclosure at best makes you look inept and at worst sends your application to the garbage bin.

When you send a cover letter along with your resume and any additional supporting documents for a job opening, it’s best practice to indicate at the end of the letter that there are enclosures. This alerts the hiring manager that you have included the required applicant information as well as some additional data that might just persuade them to offer you an interview.

Creating a cover letter enclosure may seem like a hassle, but it’s actually pretty straightforward and could really help you make a great first impression. Read on to find out everything you should know about cover letter enclosures, including:

• What is a letter of enclosure?

• Why is it important to include a letter of enclosure?

• What enclosures are employers looking for?

• 5 Steps to creating an enclosure

• Cover letter enclosure examples

What is a cover letter enclosure?

A cover letter enclosure is a detailed notation at the end of your cover letter which outlines the documents that are included with your job application. Additional documents could include your resume, application form, recommendation letters, questionnaire, transcripts, and/or certificates.

Once you have created a compelling cover letter and have your additional documents prepared, you need to add the word “Enclosure” after your signature to alert the recipient of what else you have included. If you are sending via email, you would refer to an enclosure as an “attachment.”

Why is it important to include an enclosure cover letter?

When you create a cover letter, it’s a golden opportunity to make a pitch to the recruiter that it will be worth their time to read more about you in your resume and any additional documents. The devil is definitely in the details here. Your letter of enclosure informs the hiring manager of what they can expect to see in the rest of your application and also shows that you are paying attention to the job posting. 

In some ways it’s a bit like a check list of all the required information the hiring manager needs to consider you for an interview. A compelling cover letter plus some relevant enclosures will provide the hiring manager with all the information they need to make an informed decision on your suitability for their job opening.

What enclosures are employers looking for?

So, what enclosures will impress an employer? Apart from the specific documents required for your application outlined in the job advert, you can also review the company website and the organization’s mission, vision and values statement. This will enable you to learn more about the company and what they value, so you can tailor your enclosures accordingly.

A good way to assess whether or not you should include enclosures is to ask yourself, “Is the enclosure relevant to the job advert?” and “Does it improve my chances of securing an interview?” If the answer is yes on both counts, then identify up to three priority documents and include these with your application, noting them on your cover letter as enclosures. 

For example, if you delivered a process improvement project that achieved positive results, then include a screenshot of this new process in action or a letter of recommendation that mentions this achievement. If the hiring company is looking for high achievers and your college grades are outstanding, including a transcript of your grades would be a great idea.

5 steps on how to use enclosure in a cover letter

Now you have the foundation of what a cover letter enclosure is and why it’s important, you can go ahead and prepare for your next job application. Here are five steps to adding an enclosure notation to your cover letter:

1. Write a list of the documents you are going to include in your cover letter enclosure. (resume, application form, letter of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)

2. Create a compelling cover letter tailored to the job description.

3. Under your name at the end of the cover letter, skip two lines.

4. Type the word “Enclosure:” for one document or “Enclosures:” if you are including several documents. 

5. Leave another line, then list each enclosed document title on a separate line, so for example three enclosures would be written across three lines. Don’t feel tempted to number the enclosures, they just need to be listed.

Cover letter enclosure examples

Here are some cover letter enclosure examples to show you how to set out this information. 

One letter enclosure

Here is how to note just one enclosure on your cover letter:

Multiple enclosures

In the event you are sending multiple enclosures, you would format the end of your cover letter as follows:

Key takeaways

1. Cover letter enclosures are one way you can show your professionalism and attention to detail in the job application process.

2. Outlining cover letter enclosures also ensures the hiring manager is alerted to the additional document(s) being submitted, and they will be tempted to read on if the cover letter itself is compelling.

3. Your enclosure notation always goes at the end of your cover letter, placed two lines under your signature. Use “Enclosure:” or “Enclosures:” depending on the number of documents, and list each document title on a separate line.

4. Check the job posting for details of the specific documents you should include in your letter of enclosure entry. Don’t be tempted to send too many enclosures and risk the hiring manager experiencing information overload!